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Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, who was recently dropped by Champion as a product endorser after he criticized the public's reaction to Osama bin Laden's death and questioned what happened on 9/11, is now suing Champion for breach of contract. Mendenhall alleges that the morals clause in his endorsement deal with Champion did not empower Champion to sever ties. Porcher Taylor, Jeffrey Standen, and I talk to the AP about how unlikely Mendenhall's claim is to prevail. The morals clause at issue is very inclusive and probably gave Champion authority to terminate the deal.

The article mentions that a social media clause should be included in all endorsement deals. What bargaining power do players have to make language of a social media clause any less vague than a morals clause is now?

Oh boy. As a Pittsburgh native and casual Steelers fan, I have to say this looks bad for Mendenhall and the city. I don't think you need to be a lawyer to realize the guy has no case. What's unfortunate is that the crux of Mendenhall's statement is that we should think twice about celebrating someone's death. I suppose it's all about the delivery.